BigCommerce vs VTEX: Breaking Down the Better B2B Ecommerce Platform

Key highlights:

• BigCommerce delivers faster ROI with transparent SaaS pricing and out-of-the-box B2B features that help merchants get up and running quickly, while VTEX often requires costly implementations and extensive development just to manage day-to-day operations.

• VTEX was primarily built for B2C merchants and businesses looking to create their own marketplaces, but it lacks comprehensive B2B features and expertise.

• Purpose built B2B tools like quoting, buyer roles, and credit management come standard with BigCommerce. VTEX typically requires custom work or third party add-ons.

• Global support and scalability are built in, including native multi storefront, 24 hour support, and catalog sync performance that is faster than VTEX.

• Trusted by more manufacturers and distributors, BigCommerce supports more than 12,000 manufacturers and distributors globally. VTEX can’t compete with this scale.

Manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers are under pressure to modernize without overcomplicating their tech stack. That means getting the enterprise features they need out of the box, without waiting months for custom development.

Both BigCommerce and VTEX position themselves as composable and enterprise-ready. But once you get past the buzzwords, the real difference shows up in three places: cost, complexity, and control.

In this blog, we’ll break down how these platforms compare where it matters most for B2B.

Total cost and time to value: BigCommerce keeps it simple

For B2B brands, the real risk in choosing the wrong platform isn’t just cost. It’s lost time, missed sales, and teams stuck waiting on developers.

VTEX often requires high upfront investment, long implementation cycles, and a heavy reliance on third parties just to get started. 

BigCommerce takes a different approach. With transparent SaaS pricing, no revenue share, and no hidden fees, you get a platform that supports growth without surprise costs. Most businesses can launch in a matter of weeks, not months, and manage the platform without constant developer support.

And that efficiency translates into real growth:

• B2B merchants on BigCommerce grow 2x faster than the market on average, achieving a 12.6% CAGR compared to 6.7% for the broader B2B market.

• Top-performing verticals — including sporting goods (27% CAGR) and hardware and tools (11.3%) — are outpacing competitors and setting new benchmarks for success.

According to IDC research, companies using BigCommerce B2B Edition reported:

• A 391% return on investment over three years

• Payback in just seven months

• $393,446 in average annual benefits

• 24% increase in sales team productivity

• 82% improvement in platform stability

In a space where replatforming often drags on and ROI is hard to measure, BigCommerce helps you move fast and start seeing value sooner, with a clear, predictable cost structure.

B2B features: Built for B2B vs built around B2C

On paper, it looks like VTEX checks the "B2B-ready" box. But once you look at what's actually included out of the box, the difference is clear.

VTEX was designed for B2C and marketplace use cases. Many of the features B2B businesses rely on — like company account hierarchies, purchase orders, or custom pricing — require custom workarounds or external tools. That means more development, more services, and more complexity.

BigCommerce B2B Edition, on the other hand, includes purpose-built functionality made for the way manufacturers and distributors sell. No plugins or workarounds required.

Here’s what BigCommerce includes natively:

• Multi-Company Account Hierarchy: Manage complex buying organizations with parent-child account relationships, shared permissions, and centralized purchasing visibility.

• CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote): Streamline quoting workflows with real-time pricing, approvals, and quote-to-order conversion.

• Buyer roles and permissions: Define access levels, manage approvals, and control visibility for each buyer.

• Company-specific catalogs and pricing: Deliver personalized product selections and negotiated pricing by account.

• Shared shopping lists and quick reorder tools: Simplify repeat purchases and bulk ordering for teams.

• Purchase order support and credit management: Support flexible B2B payment terms and purchase tracking.

• Customizable Buyer Portal: Offer an intuitive, branded self-service experience for buyers.

• Sales rep tools (quoting and masquerade): Empower reps to create quotes and shop on behalf of customers.

In addition to these functional differences, BigCommerce also delivers a faster, cleaner experience for both buyers and administrators. 

VTEX’s user interface has been described as clunky and outdated, often with layout shifts and lag. BigCommerce offers a polished interface that is designed to reduce friction, increase efficiency, and make day-to-day tasks easier for your teams and your customers.

Flexibility without lock-in: Compatible without complexity

Composable commerce is a powerful concept. But for many businesses, the promise of flexibility turns into a maze of custom development and third-party dependencies. That’s often what happens with VTEX.

VTEX offers a composable architecture, but it comes with real tradeoffs. 

What should be quick fixes can turn into long development cycles and even small changes require agency support. Over time, these limitations add friction, slow innovation, and drive up total cost of ownership.

BigCommerce takes an open approach. You get API-first flexibility without the burden of building everything from scratch.

• Use pre-built integrations across ERP, OMS, CRM, and PIM systems

• Launch headless experiences using your preferred front-end framework

• Customize workflows through our open Buyer Portal source code

VTEX also positions itself as a leader in marketplace and order management capabilities. But for B2B brands that are not building a marketplace, those features add unnecessary cost and complexity. 

BigCommerce integrates with Feedonomics to offer managed syndication across more than 300 global channels and marketplaces, with real-time sync and 24 hour support.

When composability becomes a cost center instead of a competitive edge, it’s time to rethink the model. BigCommerce lets you move fast without getting boxed in.

Global reach and support: Go where your buyers are

B2B companies operate across borders, channels, and customer types. Your ecommerce platform should support that complexity, not slow it down.

VTEX has strong roots in Latin America. But outside that region, support and documentation can be limited. Many customers report challenges with language barriers, slower response times, and documentation that is not fully translated. For global teams, that adds unnecessary friction.

BigCommerce is built to support both US-based and multinational B2B businesses. Whether you are selling in North America, Europe, or Asia, you can count on a platform with global reach and enterprise-grade support.

Here is what that looks like in practice:

• 24 hour support across time zones

• Easy to use documentation written in English and localized for key markets

• A large, localized partner ecosystem for implementation and ongoing services

• Catalog and order performance that scales to millions of SKUs

• 400 operations per second for catalog sync to support large B2B catalogs faster than VTEX

• Native multi-storefront management under a single license, making it easier to launch and manage regional or branded storefronts without added complexity

VTEX has a relatively small customer base, most concentrated in electronics and marketplaces. BigCommerce is the biggest B2B ecommerce platform, powering over 12,000 manufacturers and distributors who rely on the platform to support B2B at scale.

For brands managing complex catalogs, multiple storefronts, or international buyers, speed and reliability are not optional. They are essential.

With BigCommerce, you can scale globally and deliver consistent experiences without hitting platform limits.

Summary Table: BigCommerce vs. VTEX

The final word

Both BigCommerce and VTEX offer flexibility and composable architectures. But only one delivers enterprise-ready B2B functionality out of the box, with faster implementation, lower total cost of ownership, and global support you can count on.

See what’s possible for your business. Request a demo to explore BigCommerce B2B Edition today.